A speaker at a marriage conference recently made the statement: “The best times of the day to communicate with your partner are before leaving work, when returning home from work, and before going to bed.” It is certainly true that these are critical times of the day regarding marital relationships. But this is not necessarily the best time to “communicate”. There are definitely some “dos and don’ts” when it comes to communicating at these key times of the day. [See other articles linked at the bottom of this page for more on this topic.]
With respect to the early evening when one or both partners are returning home from work… is this a good time to communicate? Yes and no! It depends on how we define “communication”.
After working all day people are often fatigued – either mentally, physically, or both. Many jobs can generate a lot of tension or stress. Generally, people need at least some time to relax and unwind a bit so they can transition out of “work-mode”. Therefore, mates should allow one another adequate time for this needful adjustment phase in their day.
It can be overwhelming to a person when they walk in the door after returning home from work only to discover a spouse who is waiting to unload on them. This is true regardless of the intent of one’s spouse. For example, one may be excited to share something positive that occurred during the day and be waiting with great anticipation for their spouse to return home so they can tell him/her all about it. The problem is that the spouse returning home from work may not be in the best frame of mind to actively listen to or appreciate the story. Not only can this overwhelm the returning spouse, but it is also a setup for disappointment for the partner who wants to share their excitement.
Certainly the moments after arriving home from work are an excellent time to demonstrate your joy and enthusiasm about being reunited after spending the day apart. But the zeal must not be so great as to overwhelm or suffocate one another. Simple words of appreciation, encouragement, or affirmation and a sincere embrace can work wonders. But long monologues or expectations for meaningful discussions immediately are not appropriate for this time. There will be time to share after a while.
This may or may not be a good time to “chill” together. Each couple needs to negotiate what works best for them. Some may appreciate togetherness at this time. Others may need a few moments of “alone” time to gather themselves. There is no right or wrong way to do this. The important thing is to be considerate of and accommodating to one another’s needs.
In any case, it is a critical mistake to bring up problems or negative situations when one or both spouses return home from work. This is the last thing anyone wants to encounter after arriving home after a long day. Unless something is an emergency, it’s best to wait to address such matters. Not only is it inconsiderate to bring up problems when one’s partner is stressed or fatigued – it’s also not a conducive time to do so if you expect to find constructive resolution. In other words, it’s not only rude, it’s impractical.
Here’s some DOs and DON’Ts to consider:
DO express that it’s great to reunite and be together
DON’T smother one another or expect meaningful conversation right away
DO mention that you have exciting news to share later in the evening
DON’T immediately overwhelm each other with long stories or tedious details
DO take some time to relax and unwind
DON’T jump right into domestic chores/tasks or expect your partner to do the same
DO allow time and space for each other to transition their mind-set from work to home
DON’T bring up problems or negative information unless it’s time critical
DO relax and chill together for a while, if that’s what you both like
DON’T expect your mate to have the same preference you do – allow them some alone time to unwind if they need it
In this series - 3 Most Important Times of the Day
Morning
Returning from Work
Going to Bed
